NATICK: Richard E. Joyce, age 76, of Natick, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at the Eliot Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Natick. Born, raised and educated in Dorchester, he was a son of the late James Joseph and Julia Mary (McSweeney) Joyce.
Richie was a retired US Postal Service employee and had lived in Sandwich prior to coming to Natick. Predeceased by siblings Winifred Arsenault, James “Buddy” Joyce, Thomas Joyce, Mary Joyce, and William Joyce, he is survived by a sister, Julieanne Dorsey of Canton, brothers John “Jack” Joyce and his wife Sandi of Hudson, Paul Joyce and his wife Joanne of Marshfield, Dennis Joyce and his wife Beverly Shinn of Easthampton and Hollywood, FL, and William’s wife Linda Ann of Cape Porpoise, ME, along with many nieces, nephews, and their families.
Richie will best be remembered for his grand Irish humor and wit which he often used to succinctly cut to the truth of a situation with a few well-chosen words. He loved to sing and would, on occasion, belt out his "repertoire" of 1950 and '60's standards in a confident baritone with nearly flawless pitch and inflection. He retained both his fine humor and vocal acumen until almost the very end when most everything else was lost. Only recently, after struggling gamely to recall the next line in a song being sung with him, he suddenly burst forth with uncanny precision the phrase “Tomorrow will be too late...” from the classic tune “It's Now or Never.” Pleased with his success, he smiled broadly, gave a small nod and said, "Now, that's the whole enchilada!”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 5th at 11:00AM in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick. Burial will be private.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.